Policy 3.14.1 - Bias Crimes Prevention Statement

Date: January 23, 2023

Supersedes:
July 19, 2004, Resolution #04-90

Hate Crimes and the Law

It is a SUNY Schenectady and Police mandate to protect all members of the SUNY Schenectady community by preventing and prosecuting bias or hate crimes that occur within the campus's jurisdiction.

Hate crimes, also called bias crimes or bias-related crimes, are criminal activity motivated by the perpetrator's bias or attitude against an individual victim or group based on perceived or actual personal characteristics, such as their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Hate/bias crimes have received renewed attention in recent years, particularly since the passage of the federal Hate/Bias Crime Reporting Act of 1990 and the New York State Hate Crimes Act of 2000 (Penal Law A1ticle 485). Copies of the New York Law are available from the Office of Student Affairs, located in room 222 Elston Hall.

Penalties for bias-related crimes are very serious and range from fines to imprisonment for lengthy periods, depending on the nature of the underlying criminal offense, the use of violence or previous convictions of the offender. Perpetrators who are students will also be subject to campus disciplinary procedures where sanctions including dismissal are possible.

In addition to preventing and prosecuting hate/bias crimes, SUNY Schenectady 's Office of Student Affairs, Human Resources/AAO Office and Campus Safety also assist in addressing bias-related activities that do not rise to the level of a crime. These activities, referred to as bias incidents and defined by the State University of New York as acts of bigotry, harassment, or intimidation directed at a member or group within the College community based on national origin, ethnicity, race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, color, creed, or marital status, may be addressed through the College's Discrimination Complaint Procedure or the campus Code of Conduct. Bias incidents can be reported to Campus Safety as well as to the Human Resources/AAO Office, which is located in room 511 Elston Hall.

If you are a victim of, or witness to, a hate/bias crime on campus, report it to Campus Safety, either in person or by dialing extension 1308 or 1309 on campus or using a Red Emergency Phone located throughout our campus. Security will investigate and follow the appropriate adjudication procedures. Victims of bias crime or bias incidents can avail themselves of supportive counseling services from the campus through the Office of Student Affairs, located in room 222 Elston Hall.

For general information on SUNY Schenectady safety procedures, or to obtain a copy of the College's Student Handbook stop by the Office of Student Affairs, located in room 222 Elston Hall or visit the College's website at www.sunysccc.edu.

More information about bias-related crimes, including up-to-date statistics on bias crimes is available - for more information contact the Dean of Student Affairs at 518-381-1365